Before you say “but it’s a joke,” well duh. Yes, this is framed in context of the ever-popular “pics or it didn’t happen” meme. Further, bagging on the elitism of “real anime fans” tracking every series they watch on websites like MyAnimeList and its contemporaries is in itself a running gag to many. But why is this? It’s simple: this is an attitude that is staunchly held by many who see anime fandom as an exclusive club, and The Anime Man’s tweet plays directly into that mentality. It may be intended as a joke but its sentiment of gatekeeping is real and requires discourse.

Now look, I get the mentality of “I was bullied about this and now it’s popular.” I too was bullied in school to a significant extent and for a…